Focus on Energy

Here is my review of by poor experience with Focus on Energy,

I’m in the process of finishing in my basement, on the steps in this remodel is moving my HVAC (furnace and AC downstairs) into a maintenance room. I just put in a Goodman 16 seer AC unit, and a 96% efficient Goodman furnace powered by LP Gas. In order to be a good citizen that is conservation minded I purposely paid extra to get a higher efficiency rated system that was more efficient. Most states offer incentives to help offset the cost of these systems. When I made the request with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy for an incentive, they denied it because it’s not a natural gas system, and because LP Gas systems do not qualify. Unfortunately natural gas heating is not an option in my area, it’s only electric and/or LP Gas. When speaking with Focus on Energy about their denial of my application, they said they will only give incentives that gas providers pay into (i.e. natural gas). This is disturbing in that it doesn’t support being conservation minded, and by no means supports their mission statement of “empowering the people of Wisconsin to make smart energy decisions”. I would suggest this whole organization be audited to see where they are truly routing their funds additionally to strip them of incentive provider status.

Additionally, After I install my smart thermostat, which my power providing utility participates in (Northern State Power), Focus on Energy put a disqualifier in there by saying “homes heated by LP Fuel or geothermal heat pumps are not eligible.” This goes against why these utilities pay for people to install smart thermostats. It’s not about the fuel used, it’s about putting a system in that advises the user how they can be more power/fuel conservation minded (by using less).

Here are some suggested changes to the “About” statement on Focus on Energy’s website that sums it up…

About:
Focus on Energy empowers Natural Gas customers only.

Since 2001, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable resource program has stayed only true to that mission statement when it benefits us or our political agenda.

On behalf of natural gas providers, Focus on Energy’s information, resources and financial incentives benefit only Wisconsinites who use natural gas by implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that otherwise wouldn’t happen, or in some cases years sooner than scheduled.

Our Mission:
We don’t care about the people and businesses of Wisconsin to make smart energy decisions with enduring economic benefits, unless they fit within the limitations that we outline based on who pays into our programs; with no regard for conservation, efficiency, or the environment.

In Regards to complaint ID # [redacted] , the tenant and bill responsibility change information provided by the customer does not change the customers applicationParticipation in the Enhanced Rewards program is based on the income of the utility account holder (in this case the tenant) at the installation address at the time of the furnace installationEligibility for the Enhanced Rewards program is not determined by ownership of the propertyThis eligibility requirement is stated on page 1, section of the Enhanced Rewards income eligibility application form (see attached application)Focus on Energy has processed all of the customer’s program applications per the stated participation and equipment requirements.Link to Focus on Energy Enhanced Rewards Income Eligibility application:https://focusonenergy.com/sites/default/files/Income%20Eligibility%2...⇄

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's storewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, provides resourcesand financial incentives to help implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects rhat otherwise wouldnot be completedThe Focus on Energy Residential Rewords Dnd Enhanced Rewards
Programs do not sell andinstall high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment or attic insulationThe Focuson Energy Residential Rewards Dnd Enhanced Rewords programs provide customers with financial incentives toinfluence the decision to purchase and install high efficiency HVAC equipment and attic insulation.On February 21h the Focus on Energy program received incentive applications from tile customerTile firstincentive application for the Enhanced Rewords Program was for the installation of a 95% AFUE Natural Gasfurnace located at the customer's residenceThe Focus on Energy Enhanced Rewords program is an incomebased program and eligibility is based on the income of the utility account holder at the installation address.The customer is the utility account holder located or the installation address and according to the incomedocumentation that the customer submitted, tile customer qualified for the Enhanced Rewards program and thefurnace that was installed at this address qualified for the programFocus on Energy processed the incentiveapplication and mailed the customer the cosh-back reward check in the amount of $on April 10, 2015.The second application for the customer submitted is for the Residential Rewards Program and was for theinstallation of a 95% AFUf furnaceAccording to the information all the incentive application, the customer isthe Landlord and the customers tenant was utility account holder at this addressAccording to the generalrequirements section of the cash back rewards application, all furnaces must have an ECM motorThe furnacemake and model that was installed does not have an ECM motor and does not qualify for the ResidentialRewords programBased all the receipt of the information provided on the Residential Rewards applicationform, we will not be able to accept the customer's incentive application request for $through the ResidentialRewards program.The third application that the customer submitted is for the Residential Rewards Attic Insulation program.According to the program terms and conditions, customers are eligible to participate in the Residential RewardsAttic Insulation program if the insulation is installed by a participating Focus on Energy Home Performance withENERGY STAR Trade AllyA list of participating Trade Allies is posted at: focusonenergy.comjfindatradeally.According to the incentive application, the insulation was installed by a can tractor that does not participate inthe program therefore we will not be able to accept Ms***'s incentive application request for $600through the Residential Rewards Attic Insulation program.On 4/30, the applications were discussed with the customer and the program informed the customer that theseapplications will be re-reviewed by multiple staff to ensure that the customer and equipment eligibilityrequirements as stated on each application form were properly evaluatedProgram staff conducted a secondreview of each application and it was determined that the Focus on Energy program will not be able to processthe Residential Rewards application in the amount of $and the Residential Rewards attic insulation in theamount of $due to the reasons listed in the preceding paragraphsThis was communicated to the customeron 5/

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ***, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below
The response is not adequate as one of the managers, ***, even agreed this is a special circumstance and he "wishes" he could treat it as such I followed the application instructions per an email previously, but there was a special note attached to all documents stating that I was the sole person paying and the only owner of the property The result should be in rewarding me for the high efficiency furnace that has been put in for the lower unit of my property ***, the manager, has even attested to such over the phone and said he would "see what he could do." When he returned my call, he said he's talked to another manager and they "just can't make it happen for me." That is completely unacceptable when I am the person on the low enough income to qualify for ENHANCED rewards for my unit and I put in TWO in the property! That's absurd They do not do what they advertise They say that they're dedicated to making the program work for individuals, but won't treat this as such a case Additionally, I told *** I would be taking his response to the public eye as all should know about what the program doesn't do for its participants
Regards,
*** ***

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
The biggest concern here is that [redacted], one of the management, said that there should be an exception made for this situation and he'd have to look into it.  Additionally, one of the Focus On Energy responses said that they haven't received updated correspondence or application to attest to the new information, but now they're changing that stance and saying I'm not qualifying?  More sheisty communications.
Regards,
[redacted]

In Regards to complaint ID #[redacted], the tenant and bill responsibility change information provided by the customer does not change the customers application. Participation in the Enhanced Rewards program is based on the income of the utility account holder (in this case the tenant) at the installation address at the time of the furnace installation. Eligibility for the Enhanced Rewards program is not determined by ownership of the property. This eligibility requirement is stated on page 1, section 1 of the Enhanced Rewards income eligibility application form (see attached application). Focus on Energy has processed all of the customer’s program applications per the stated participation and equipment requirements.Link to Focus on Energy Enhanced Rewards Income Eligibility application:https://focusonenergy.com/sites/default/files/Income%20Eligibility%2...⇄

Review: I filled out rebate forms to receive my energy conserving rebate as adequately described. I am a landlord and owner of a two unit duplex that I installed the same furnace in both. I filled out the information to qualify for the rebates upon installing energy efficient furnaces. According to their rules, it has become apparent that even though it was my income alone supporting both units and I installed two identical units, I was only issued a rebate for the unit I live in, because the other unit is based off of my tenant's income. Because it is in a different income bracket, the unit does not qualify under their standards. I have discussed with a supervisor and they claim there is nothing to do. I make enough to be on their "low income" tier of rebates, paid for two furnaces at the same time for each unit within my property, and I'm being told I'm only going to get the rebate for one. This is not a typical consideration or situation and shouldn't be handled as the standard because it is an extenuating circumstance. I haven't even fought the issue that I did apply for the attic insulation rebate, but apparently that doesn't qualify because I didn't use someone approved to do so by them. I did ask my trade ally to get approved and he refused to submit anything for it--so even though I do use it and am a loyal customer, I lose out. This is outrageous.Desired Settlement: I want the money that I am owed. It should be identical to the check I received from the initial furnace install based on my income eligibility and my installation of the appropriate devices. It should be the rebate check I am deserved of $475 that matches the former.

Business

Response:

Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's storewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, provides resourcesand financial incentives to help implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects rhat otherwise wouldnot be completed. The Focus on Energy Residential Rewords Dnd Enhanced Rewards Programs do not sell andinstall high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment or attic insulation. The Focuson Energy Residential Rewards Dnd Enhanced Rewords programs provide customers with financial incentives toinfluence the decision to purchase and install high efficiency HVAC equipment and attic insulation.On February 21h the Focus on Energy program received 3 incentive applications from tile customer. Tile firstincentive application for the Enhanced Rewords Program was for the installation of a 95% AFUE Natural Gasfurnace located at the customer's residence. The Focus on Energy Enhanced Rewords program is an incomebased program and eligibility is based on the income of the utility account holder at the installation address.The customer is the utility account holder located or the installation address and according to the incomedocumentation that the customer submitted, tile customer qualified for the Enhanced Rewards program and thefurnace that was installed at this address qualified for the program. Focus on Energy processed the incentiveapplication and mailed the customer the cosh-back reward check in the amount of $475.00 on April 10, 2015.The second application for the customer submitted is for the Residential Rewards Program and was for theinstallation of a 95% AFUf furnace. According to the information all the incentive application, the customer isthe Landlord and the customers tenant was utility account holder at this address. According to the generalrequirements section of the cash back rewards application, all furnaces must have an ECM motor. The furnacemake and model that was installed does not have an ECM motor and does not qualify for the ResidentialRewords program. Based all the receipt of the information provided on the Residential Rewards applicationform, we will not be able to accept the customer's incentive application request for $150 through the ResidentialRewards program.The third application that the customer submitted is for the Residential Rewards Attic Insulation program.According to the program terms and conditions, customers are eligible to participate in the Residential RewardsAttic Insulation program if the insulation is installed by a participating Focus on Energy Home Performance withENERGY STAR Trade Ally. A list of participating Trade Allies is posted at: focusonenergy.comjfindatradeally.According to the incentive application, the insulation was installed by a can tractor that does not participate inthe program therefore we will not be able to accept Ms. [redacted]'s incentive application request for $600through the Residential Rewards Attic Insulation program.On 4/30, the applications were discussed with the customer and the program informed the customer that theseapplications will be re-reviewed by multiple staff to ensure that the customer and equipment eligibilityrequirements as stated on each application form were properly evaluated. Program staff conducted a secondreview of each application and it was determined that the Focus on Energy program will not be able to processthe Residential Rewards application in the amount of $150 and the Residential Rewards attic insulation in theamount of $600 due to the reasons listed in the preceding paragraphs. This was communicated to the customeron 5/1.

Consumer

Response:

Review: My contractor told us about a $100 rebate we could get from focus on energy. He filled out the form and only gave us 2 pages. He told us to sign and send in. I then found out that we were eligible for the $700 reward and received a call that day from a focus on energy representative. She was calling because I signed the form but my husband was listed in the information. I asked her about the $700 reward and found out that we were in fact eligible for the higher reward but because I already signed the form it was null and void. I asked her if they didn't do anything with it yet why I couldn't still send in the information. She and her manager responded that the program is for people who wouldn't necessarily purchase the equipment but do because of the money they get back from focus on energy. As far as I am concerned this is ridiculous. I am not going to buy a product because I get some money back...I buy things if I NEED them and we needed a furnace desperately. We had to take out a loan for the furnace. If this program is for low income...then why wouldn't they let low income people apply??? The reason I was given seems very inadequate and I feel discriminated against. I am very dissatisfied with how they treated the whole situation.Desired Settlement: That we would get the higher reward that we are eligible for.

Business

Response:

Focus onEnergy, Wisconsin’s statewide program for energy efficiency and renewableenergy, provides resources and financial incentives to help implement energyefficiency and renewable energy projects that otherwise would not becompleted. The Focus on Energy Residential Rewards and Enhanced RewardsPrograms do not sell and install high efficiency heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) equipment. The Focus on Energy ResidentialRewards and Enhanced Rewards programs provide customers with financialincentives to influence the decision to purchase and install high efficiencyHVAC equipment. Customerswho purchase high efficiency HVAC equipment that qualifies for Focus on Energyare not allowed to receive financial incentives from both the ResidentialRewards Program and the Enhanced Rewards Program for the same piece ofequipment. Further, customers who apply for incentives under the ResidentialRewards Program by signing a Residential Rewards Application vacate anyopportunity to request that an incentive for the equipment noted on theResidential Rewards Application be processed under the Enhanced RewardsProgram. Theattached file contains the Residential Rewards Application that Ms. [redacted]signed on September 10, 2014. The application is for a $100 incentivetoward a high efficiency furnace installed on September 5, 2014. Page 1,Section 4 contains language stating that the applicant certifies that they areexpressly applying for the incentive available through the Residential RewardsProgram. Based on the receipt of the signed application form we will notbe able to accept Ms. [redacted]’s incentive application request for $700.00through the Enhanced Rewards Program.

Home performance with energy star program heating and cooling tier 1 program.
Nice people but [redacted] nuance policy. The application to participate with the program allowed me to complete the participation in the program and I installed an expensive smart thermostat. (nest)
The application for a rebate was declined later via mail because they considered my LP gas heating source not relative to the program. Which begs the question, is the intent to save energy only for the optics of the utilities participating, not with energy efficiency policy. The irony is that the participating utility acquires my revenue stream from cooling cost yearly, visa central air conditioning, and in the winter the usage for running my heating physical unit. Only not providing the fuel that is not available from the same utility.
It seem the overhead cost for consultants, utility partners and associated activists for developing a narrative and optics that they are good guys is not reflected in the real world application of Wisconsin usage logistics. That is unless you live in a metro bubble, imposing enrichment for some but not for others.